Summer 1996

In this issue

1. Greetings!
   by Murphy Hicks Henry Murphy marks the newsletter's two-year anniversary and encourages reader support and contributions.
   Tribute for Hazel in D.C. by Murphy Hicks Henry A report on an emotionally moving concert honoring Hazel Dickens, notable for its female-dominated all-star jam and backstage support from male musicians caring for children.
   Dead Mother Songs by Murphy Hicks Henry An introduction to Murphy's academic paper exploring the prevalence of "dead mother" songs in bluegrass and the absence of women's narratives.
2. Raised to the Rhythm of the Road
   by Susi Gott Susi Gott's personal essay detailing the extreme challenges of touring France with her infant daughter, from finding babysitters to breastfeeding between sets.
3. RAG, MAMA, RAG...
   Conscious Choices by Missy Raines A letter from Missy Raines discussing the conscious choice she made to not have children in order to pursue her bluegrass career.
   Three Genders? by Joanne Sanders A letter from Joanne Sanders applying the concept of "token female" from her science career to the bluegrass world and emphasizing the importance of female role models.
   Gigging with Big Mon by Vivian Williams Vivian Williams's detailed account of the time her band unexpectedly had to back Bill Monroe for two concerts when his bus broke down.
4. I'm Not About to Die
   The Voices of Women in Bluegrass by Murphy Hicks Henry A condensed academic paper from Murphy's feminist theory studies that analyzes the invisibility of women in bluegrass lyrics and celebrate new, empowering songs by women like Kathy Kallick and Hazel Dickens.
5. Olympic Moments
   by Nancy Hicks Pate Nancy Hicks Pate's account of her band Born G____'s experience playing bluegrass for international athletes in the Olympic Village in Atlanta.
6. Ratifications
   by Casey Henry Casey Henry's story about playing her first "real" gig as a banjo player and the typically unglamorous reality of a bluegrass musician's job.
7. WIBLETS...
   by Beth Weil A note from Beth Weil seeking witnesses to the stroke she had while performing on stage with the Good Ol' Persons for a book she is writing.

Photos

• Ginny Hawker, Kay Justice, page 1. Photo: Casey Henry. On Omeka
• Elaine Purkey, page 1. Photo: Casey Henry. On Omeka
• Christian Séguret, Susi Gott, page 2. Photographer unknown. On Omeka
• Alice Gerrard, Kate Brislin, page 4. Photo: Casey Henry. On Omeka
• Laurie Lewis, page 6. Photo: Casey Henry. On Omeka
• Kathy Kallick, Lynn Morris, Suzanne Thomas, page 6. Photo: Peter Thompson. On Omeka
• Hazel Dickens, page 7. Photo: Casey Henry. On Omeka